It sounds like you're describing a type of hockey training machine—similar to a pitching machine in baseball or cricket—but designed for field hockey. This kind of machine would automatically send out hockey balls to players on an artificial turf field, allowing them to practice their skills like trapping, passing, shooting, and receiving balls at different speeds.
These machines typically work by using a rotating mechanism or compressed air to shoot balls out at varying distances and speeds. They can be programmed to simulate game-like scenarios, such as quick passes, high-speed shots, or even specific angles, helping players work on their timing and techniques. They could also be set to shoot balls at different heights, simulating aerial passes or shots on goal.
Some key features such a machine might have:
- Speed Adjustments: Players can practice receiving or shooting balls at different velocities, from slow passes to fast, hard shots.
- Directional Control: The machine could shoot balls at various angles, mimicking passes from different parts of the field or shots on goal.
- Randomized Patterns: It could shoot balls in randomized patterns to simulate unpredictable game situations, helping players improve their reaction times and adaptability.
- Hitting Zones: The machine could target specific areas of the field, allowing players to focus on practicing trapping or shooting in different zones.
- Shot Variation: It could mimic aerial passes (lobs) or ground-level passes, helping players refine their ability to control balls in both situations.